I tore having my son so obviously I am sore and swollen. What are some pain relief you did? I have frozen witch hazel and aloe on pads but it resulted in excess swelling. I think that was because of extra moisture.
My friend recommends coconut oil to speed healing but I am weary of doing that because I can't find any research.
So what do you recommend?

I would stick with just witch hazel pads. Tucks pads on a disposable maxi pad did wonders for me. Make sure you're using your peri bottle when you go pee. You can alternate cold and warm compresses also.

__________________Mae- Mama to Gustavo 10/07, Joey 12/10 and Henry 5/13
“No matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as the truth.” ― John F. Kennedy

I agree with the witch hazel and do your best to verify that it's alcohol free witch hazel. The last thing you want is rubbing alcohol on your sensitive skin. I hope you feel better! I had a second degree tear and was pretty sore too, I think it took me four weeks to feel a lot better but obviously every week got easier. The first week was definitely the hardest. Also take stool softeners, dulcolax is safe while breastfeeding. You definitely don't want to have constipation issues with a perineal tear. Something I learned the hard way...

I saw your update in the hypnobabies thread, I am glad you had a good labor and delivery. Our experiences with hypnobabies sounds pretty similar (minus hospital instead of home).

Stool softener and a hemorrhoid pillow help a lot. The sitz bath too. And for numbing at the hospital they would cut a slit in the end of a nb sposie and stuff it with ice. Perfect size/shape and absorbed as it melted.

herbs for your sitz bath- comfrey, yarrow, witch hazel bark/extract - not the astringent kind but actual herbal witch hazel. you can make a tea kind of water and sit in it up to 3 times a day. works FAST.

coconut oil and/or calendula ointment i would also recommend, but wait until you are not freshly torn. it might burn a little if you dont. they will help you heal up with barely any scar.

keep you feet up more (more resting). Walking around can make for a swollen area. Spread your legs infront of a fan for a little bit each day to get some air around your wound. I second just witch hazel.